I'm a Stingray?

Chapter 203: Steve

In a few aspects, it was certain that the conversation between the two small parties had been well developed for the better so far. But it was also raw in many other ways. Uncertainties behaved as a loose end that had to be tied up, and decisions had an equal weight when severity was a topic.

Timothy decided to seal up the conversation, simply by asking. "Okay, so do we kill him or not?"

Such a question was heavy in value, and it managed to sync all three of them into raging thoughts; while at the same time, it built up tension in just a matter of seconds between the parties.

The old shrimp began fiddling his eyes from left to right, looking at both of these fish. It was clear that one of these marine animals was powerful, so the geezer did not want to create bad ties.

After a few seconds, he managed to answer. "I don't want to kill someone who had the same sour fate as me."

"Okay prove your words." The stingray swooped in once more, and added. "We want to kill a tribe of holy-bastards, come kill them with us."

"Actually..." the old man stretched a single word.

It had managed to build up a lot of anxiety on the other side of the stick. If the couple of fish in front of him had toes, they would stand on them. This situation was showing signs of benefits, and the sea-pancake especially, didn't want to avoid those same benefits ~ as they were already in a rush, and could use any extra help!

Thankfully the old shrimp had finally broken the anticipation, by adding. "I was putting all of my abilities into work, for the sake of figuring out a way, to banish a tribe from existence! But nothing was enough at the end of the bargain, they're too strong for me."

Before the other side of the stick could say anything, the shrimp continued. "The tar-worshippers, if that's what you call them as well? Have forced me into a mutation. They aren't my associates and shall meet with my well-fed wrath!"

Although they were somewhat confused of this man's wordplay, it was clear to a certain extent, that he carried good intent. Chances are that he didn't give a damn for this reef, but the urge to kill the opposing sect was enough.

Feeling confident that this shrimp cannot kill them, the sea-disk cited. "You're ready to kill, I can respect that. Join us in this hunt."

...

They've set off after that brief conversation. But at least this time, they had a direction to follow instead of just swimming around aimlessly: simply because the shrimp already knew where a tribe was.

And according to the explanations, this structure of which carried the enemies, was rather new. Although it didn't carry as much sect members, the threat it posed against every inhabitant of the reef, was still large!

They had a motive, but there was a small barricade. The shrimp who was guiding them to battle, couldn't exactly swim fast. Sure the geezer could burst forward in energy, but that can't be used for long-term travelling.

A solution was quickly found, but the idea pitcher was a bit hesitant at first. Osira had thought that it was a good idea, for this old man to climb on anyone's back for the sake of easier travel. And since the black-grouper was the biggest at the moment, it only sounded like the best solution for the shrimp to climb over her back.

At first she had double thoughts about it. But a bit later, she remembered smashing her head against a boat without any repercussions worth mentioning.

So with that confidence, she allowed the geezer to climb over her back. Because even if this geezer turned out to be an enemy, it wouldn't be so difficult to kill the man.

But although the idea was helpful, it managed to sync everyone in a silence that was growing awkward. Tim noticed it a little bit, but was still rather clueless regarding how heavy this silence was. That fact aside, he was still curious.

So a question sprouted, "What kind of shrimp are you? I haven't seen anything like you before."

Such a question might come out as somewhat offensive, but thankfully the latter was well aware of the overall situation.

Likewise, the old man answered. "I'm a mantis shrimp."

The answer sounded casual, it was obvious that the geezer wasn't so happy or proud to tell his species' name, but there wasn't a hint of sadness behind that tone either.

A couple of words still clung on the geezer's mind, so he had to add. "You haven't seen shrimp like me, because that shark invasion had killed them all."

"That's sad." The sea-pancake answered, but he didn't exactly carry much grief.

The talk about sharks had been mentioned so many times by now, that it wasn't interesting any longer. So the young boy moved towards another topic right away, for the sake of curiosity.

He peeked at the mantis shrimp and asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Gerlach Feldg Eklunds the IV, and I am the last of my family." Such a name came in as a shock for the observants, it was rather unique.

And of course the sea-disk had already forgotten the name, and was trying figure out an easier way around it.

Curling his face in hesitation, he finally expressed. "I'll just call you Steve."

"Call me Gerlach." The latter insisted, and began feeling a tad uncomfortable about his name.

...

It took them a good half an hour to reach the very thing they woke up for. But it was fair to say that their expectations were broken, the average results from such a search had completely shifted.

Because the tribe they were stalking, wasn't underground but above it instead. It was somewhat beautiful, as the pool of holy-tar was carved into coral.

Along with that detail, the pool seemed to be a tad covered with what appeared to be a coral ceiling. But it wasn't bland in any way, when it came to texture and decor.

Because the pool was surrounded by columns, that held the very coral ceiling that coated the tar. Magnificent to say at least, because it seemed to be carved by a single big chunk of coral.

Although magnificent and somewhat medieval-looking, it was still confusing. Because unlike any other pool of unholy substance, this one was just a meter wide!

It unleashed a couple of auras that were raging against each other. One of the auras gave a sense that this task will be easier than expected, while the other side of the stick; portrayed the complete opposite!